KABUL (SW): The Wolesi Jirga (lower house) rejected with majority the Presidential Decree on electoral reforms on Monday.
As many as 126 members voted against while only 27 voted in favor o f the decree. This is the second time the decree has been rejected by the house. Those members of the house, who were in favor of the decree stressed that rejecting the decree, which aims to streamline the roles and responsibilities of the electoral bodies, would further jeopardize the elections.
Farhad Azimi, a member of the house said in his remarks that those members opposing the decree are not aware of its contents and are in fact being dictating from outside to oppose it. He noted that this rejection undermined the credibility of the house and spreads concerns amongst the countrymen.
On the other hand, those opposing the decree asserted that it was in violation of the Constitution.
Abdul Qadir Zazai, a member of the house charged that the leaders of the Government of National Unity (GNU) wish to divide the posts at the electoral bodies among themselves. He noted that the house has given a ‘jaw breaking’ respond to those having such motives.
Commenting on the rejection by the Wolesi Jirga, Mohammad Haroon Chakahnsuri, spokesman for the Presidential Palace said that the government is committed to ensure parliamentary and district council elections. He added that efforts to reform the electoral bodies would continue.
It is vital to note that electoral reforms was one of the point agreed upon by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah but it remains in doldrums since over a year of the formation of the GNU in Afghanistan.
ENDS
